The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 130: A rowdy bunch

Chapter 130: A rowdy bunch

There were no other attacks. Hex heard distant roars and shrieks in the forest but no beast approached them.

The elderly man, who had talked with Hestia, had introduced himself as Bast and was the head of the gathering team.

"There are few resources in this area of the forest. It makes gathering fruits and herbs hard but relatively safe," Bart explained as they moved along. The other men handled the wares on the cart. Hex noticed them steal glances at Hestia and Althea, beauties rarely seen in these parts, but he ignored them. No matter where they would go, these two ladies would attract the attention of others. If he would fight everyone, there would be no end to it.

When they descended, Althea had told them that the forest was the thinnest in this part, making it the number one choice for travelers and wanderers.

After they traveled half an hour, Hex noticed the trees growing sparse. There were more bushes around them.

After a while, the bushes made a place for grasslands. The sight of large stretches of land covered in grass fascinated Hex. He noticed a lot of domesticated animals grazing in these lands as people lay in the shadows of one or two trees near these lands. They seemed lazying around.

Some people recognized Bart and the others, greeting them with a smile. He felt the curious gazes of the people on him but didn’t pay it any heed. It was to be expected. They were strangers in these parts.

The buildings were far from each other but this changed when they got near the town. The town didn’t have an outer wall. He saw rows of houses going in different directions. There was a wide gap between the houses in the center, which according to Bart was the main path into the town.

The entrance wasn’t too busy. They got into the town rather easily. The sentry at the entrance didn’t stop them. This was thanks to Bart going up to him and having a talk. With his keen eyes, Hex saw Bart give the sentry a core.

’It’s the same everywhere, I guess. If you have enough money or treasures, paths will open up.’

On both sides of the main path, there were vendors and shops. Lasttown wasn’t big but it was busy. Hex saw many people moving with carts and boxes.

"Everyone is busy preparing gifts for the new Governor. Our mayor is invited to the festivities held in a few days," Bart explained from the side when he noticed his guests look around them.

’We haven’t prepared anything!’

He looked at Hestia who happened to look at him. They smiled wryly. Even if they knew the new Governor might try to take their land, it helped to follow some basic rules.

Hex just shrugged in the end at Hestia. They couldn’t change much, could they?

"Where will we stay?" Althea asked suddenly.

"The forest inn, my lady," Bart said. "It is a good place and the owner is an old client and friend. Bart brought them to the inn. It was a wooden building with three stories. When they arrived a stable boy rushed out.

"Alwin, take the mounts of these people and make sure they are taken care of," Bart instructed the young boy. Hex and the ladies dismounted and followed Bart inside.

The inn was already filled with patrons, drinking and eating. They were mostly men. As soon as they saw the female Knights, they became silent. Their eyes followed behind them.

"Marvin, I owe these people my life. Can you please give them three rooms? I will bear the cost of their stay," Bart said to the man behind the counter. Hex sensed the energy of a triple blessing coming from the man. His connection with the monolith allowed him to gauge the levels of people around him.

"I only have one room available at the moment," Marvin said, looking apologetically at his friend.

"They can sleep with us," a hoarse voice came from behind. They turned and saw a group of men sitting at the table nearest to them, leering at the two ladies.

"We can adjust and share," another man added. He eyed Althea’s legs lustfully. They ignored Hex.

"You sure you can handle us?" Hestia asked with a coy smile, batting her eyes at the man who had spoken first.

Embolded, the man stood up and approached them. Bart wanted to interject but Hex pulled the corners of his robe.

"Just try us. And don’t worry. I have plenty of brothers here. I am sure we can meet all your needs," the rowdy man said. As he spoke, he lifted his hand to grab Hestia.

Bam!

Out of nowhere, the man felt a kick that drained the breath of his body, sending him flying toward the wall. His friends didn’t understand what happened but they tried to stand up to attack them.

"What the hell!"

Vines wrapped around them, keeping them seated. They struggled but couldn’t break free.

The other men in the inn looked shocked at the scene. They understood the ladies weren’t simple.

"Enough!"

A man sitting at another table stood up. He was bald and had a long scar on his face. The moment he spoke, the people struggling to break free from the vines, cowered and stopped moving.

The man picked the man against the wall, who squirmed in pain and dragged him in front of the ladies.

"Apologize. Now!" He barked at him.

"S-Sorry, please...forgive me," the rowdy man said, barely able to speak.

The bald man with the scar dropped the man and turned toward Hestia and Althea.

"Please forgive my friends. They are drunk. We don’t wish to offend Knights like you."

Although some had suspected it when they heard the bald man mention them being Knights, the other tables broke into soft discussions. They hadn’t expected the beautiful ladies to be so powerful.

"No worries, we were just playing," Hestia laughed, withdrawing her vines. All this time Hex remained silent.

When they took the key, he turned toward Bart. "Who are they?" he asked, ensuring only Bart could hear him.

"I heard they are travelers. Nothing great. They usually remain in the inn and spend all their time drinking."

Hex nodded and gave the table of the bald man with the scar another look, before going up the stairs.

’Seven Knights and ten Squires. Are they really travelers?’